How to Soundproof Prefabricated Houses

Soundproofing of prefabricated houses can be achieved through the selection of soundproofing materials, sealing gaps, optimizing decoration plans, installing soundproof doors and windows, addressing specific noise sources, and implementing simple auxiliary measures.

1. Select appropriate soundproofing materials
   Adding high-density materials to walls, floors, and other areas requiring soundproofing is a fundamental measure. Rock wool, due to its fibrous structure, can effectively absorb sound waves, while foam boards reduce noise by blocking vibration transmission. Both are suitable for wall filling or floor laying. The higher the material density, the more significant the soundproofing effect, but attention should be paid to fire resistance (e.g., rock wool should meet Class A fire resistance standards).

2. Seal gaps
   Prefabricated houses are prone to gaps due to modular assembly, which need to be thoroughly sealed with sealant or caulk. Focus on checking door and window frames, wall joints, and pipe penetrations to prevent sound waves from penetrating through gaps. For example, if the gap between the window frame and the wall is not treated, the soundproofing effect may be reduced by more than 30%.

3. Soundproof-friendly decoration plans

   • Ceiling: Add a soundproofing layer inside the suspended ceiling, such as first adhering environmentally friendly damping soundproofing felt to the original ceiling, then using oriented strand board strips to form cavities in sections, and finally filling with 5cm thick soundproofing cotton. This structure can block noise transmitted through floor vibrations.
   • Walls: During decoration, fill 5cm soundproofing cotton between the studs and cover with soundproofing felt and soundproofing boards. If already decorated, insert soundproofing felt between the back panel of the wardrobe adjacent to the neighbor and the wall, and seal with gypsum board to form a composite soundproofing structure of "soft packing + cavity".
   • Floors: Laying wooden floors or carpets can enhance soundproofing, especially suitable for isolating impact noise from activities of upstairs occupants.

4. Install soundproof doors and windows

   • Windows: Prioritize casement windows (with better sealing than sliding windows), with a profile thickness of at least 1.8mm, and use double-layer insulated laminated glass (e.g., a 6mm+12mm cavity+6mm laminated structure). If replacement is not immediate, use high-density sealing strips to seal all window gaps.
   • Doors: Bedroom doors should be thickened to over 50mm and equipped with sealing strips. An automatic lifting sealing strip can be installed at the bottom of the door to prevent sound waves from penetrating through the door gap.

5. Soundproofing measures for specific noise sources

   • Traffic noise: If near a railway station or highway, upgrade windows to insulated laminated glass and ensure a casement design. Walls can be fitted with a composite layer of soundproofing felt + gypsum board.
   • Pipe noise: The sewage pipe in the bathroom should be wrapped with golden damping sheets (to reduce vibration), covered with 2cm thick soundproofing cotton, and finally sealed with aluminum foil tape, which can reduce water flow noise by about 20 decibels.

6. Other auxiliary measures
   Soft-packed walls (such as polyester fiber acoustic panels) or thickened curtains (such as three-layer composite materials) can improve soundproofing by absorbing and reflecting sound waves, especially suitable for quiet spaces like living rooms or bedrooms.